Posted on 03/05/2005 2:24:47 PM PST by Dan from Michigan
King street signs go up Monday after long fight
Saturday, March 05, 2005
By Jim Harger
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- Fifth-grader Alan Davis looked over the red and white "Martin Luther King Blvd." sign Friday and saw more than a new street name.
"It means love and respect," the Campau Park Elementary student said. "It shows our community is the best, and we can show peace."
Starting Monday, the commemorative signs will become part of Division Avenue as it runs through the heart of Grand Rapids.
Robert S, the radio talk host who spearheaded the commemorative designation, said it is a fitting conclusion to Black History Month and a new beginning for a street with a reputation for prostitution and drug trafficking.
"When I look at Division, I see the kids on their way to Campau Elementary School," said Robert S, who dropped by the school, just off South Division, to show the new signs to kids. "I see them looking for a brighter future."
Robert S -- who changed his last name after repudiating "Stewart" as his stepfather's last name -- said he hopes the signs convey a message of peace and hope.
"I really want them to feel safe and understand that they are in a community that loves peace so much, that we picked a man of peace to honor on that street," the radio host said. "Martin Luther King's dream is still alive, and that message is peace and unity among all races and human beings."
At 3 p.m. Monday, Robert S said he hopes to stage a community celebration for the signs at Hall Street and Division.
Traffic Safety Director Pat Bush said the installations will begin at Coldbrook Street, Division's northernmost intersection. He expects his crews to finish by Friday at 28th Street on the city's southern border.
One set of signs, for the intersection at Franklin Street, will be saved for a special installation.
Robert S said he is organizing a final celebration June 19, or "Juneteenth," to mark completion of the job. Juneteenth is the observance of the Emancipation Proclamation that ended slavery in the United States.
The sign installation marks the end of a 2 1/2-year fight over a street designation for King, the civil rights icon who was assassinated in 1968.
The struggle began when local black leaders asked city leaders to rename Franklin Street for King. After city commissioners rejected the request last year, Robert S, a host on WJNZ-AM (1140), championed the designation for Division and won their approval.
He and his supporters raised the $27,000 necessary to make and erect the signs.
Although the signs will not formally change the Division Avenue's name, the U.S. Postal Service official said it will deliver mail to "Division Avenue" or "Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd." -- as long as it designates whether the address is north or south of Fulton Street.
"The post office will have both of them in the system," said Mark Maciejewski, manager of customer service. "If a letter comes through to either address, they'll both get delivered. It shouldn't present any problem."
George Washington Carver would have been much better, a man who self taught science and agriculture. He's the very antithesis of the liberal view of education.
In most cities, the MLK street is placed wherever the local civil rights community wants it.
*** BINGO
Of course, GWC did not retire at Iowa State because the school was too cheap to retain him. But that's more of my own personal issues than this thread needs.
And I wouldn't in Detroit, Saginaw, or Flint.
go play on the freeway.
Interesting that there was a long protracted fight on the name change and this was in Michigan.
I live in Arkansas and we have had numerous streets here renamed for King in the last 10 to 15 years and I can't remember any controversy about doing any of them at all.
How do I get to the Martin Luther King Museum?
Take a left on MLK, then go down to Martin Luther King. Take a right on King, then go four miles to Martin. Follow along till you get to the MLK turnpike, and you'll pass MLK Park. Stop at the MLK parking lot and ride the King escalator up to the MLK ticket booth. There's a guy there named Junior that can guide you to the Martin Luther King overpass that will take you to the musem.
I am not making a call for any of those. I was illustrating a double standard: racism is OK, so long as it's directed at whites.
Yes that's the prevailing attitude among the liberals today, so we agree. For some odd reason white liberals endorse it heartily when it doesn't affect them.
Same thing with "George Washington Carver Elementary."
It appears as though "Hannitized" has an even lower IQ than his idol Sean.
LOL that's harsh ;o)
How soon till we're encouraged to exchange gifts?
Chris Rock was hilarious about the MLK street signs. BTTT
I never called him a bigot... I just said his personal life and political beliefs were questionable...
He took a bullet outside of a no-tell motel.... LOL
Okay but I would think James Earl Ray could have shot him elsewhere.
A lot of people believe James earl ray wasnt the shooter.
Like a JFK situation?
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